Former prime minister Ariel Sharon, who suffered a stroke in January and has been in a coma since, was moved to an intensive care unit on Friday after a worsening in his condition, the hospital treating him said.

"Sharon contracted an infection that is affecting his heart and will receive intensive treatment to combat the infection," said a statement by the Sheba Medical Center, near Tel Aviv.

"At this point, his condition is stable," said Sheba spokesman David Weinberg.

	Advertisement

Sharon, 78, had a first, small stroke in December and was put on blood thinners before experiencing a severe brain hemorrhage on January 4. After spending months in the Jerusalem hospital where he was initially treated, Sharon was transferred to the long-term care facility at Sheba in May.

He was rushed into intensive care in July for dialysis after his kidneys began failing, but was transferred back to the hospital's respiratory rehabilitation department after his condition improved.

The former general, who held the post of prime minister until April, when he was replaced by Ehud Olmert, was first elected prime minister in 2001.